Revelation 12:12

Authorized King James Version

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Word-by-Word Analysis

διὰ

G1223

Therefore

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο

G5124

that thing

εὐφραίνεσθε

G2165

rejoice

to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e., rejoice

οἱ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανοὶ

G3772

ye heavens

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοῖς

G846

them

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#10

σκηνοῦντες

G4637

ye that dwell

to tent or encamp, i.e., (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specially), to reside (as god did in the tabernacle of old, a symbol of protectio

#11

οὐαὶ

G3759

Woe

woe

#12

τοῖς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#13

κατοικοῦσιν

G2730

to the inhabiters

to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)

#14

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#15

γῆν

G1093

of the earth

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

#16

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#17

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#18

θάλασσαν

G2281

of the sea

the sea (genitive case or specially)

#19

ὅτι

G3754

! for

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

#20

κατέβη

G2597

is come down

to descend (literally or figuratively)

#21

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#22

διάβολος

G1228

the devil

a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)

#23

πρὸς

G4314

unto

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

#24

ὑμᾶς

G5209

you

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

#25

ἔχει

G2192

having

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

#26

θυμὸν

G2372

wrath

passion (as if breathing hard)

#27

μέγαν

G3173

great

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

#28

εἰδὼς

G1492

because he knoweth

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

#29

ὅτι

G3754

! for

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

#30

ὀλίγον

G3641

but a short

puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat

#31

καιρὸν

G2540

time

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

#32

ἔχει

G2192

having

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

Analysis

The judgment and justice theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The historical context of the Domitian persecution period (c. 95 CE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the judgment and justice theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Revelation chapter 12 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?